MEMPHIS IS AMAZING

I'm the guy who feared coming to Graceland because I had read that:

• Memphis was the most dangerous city in the USA.
• However, according to Google AI:

Based on data from late 2025 and early 2026, Memphis has experienced a significant, historic reduction in crime, though it still faces challenges regarding its reputation and overall safety levels compared to other U.S. cities.

• But more than that, I had also forgotten about the history of Memphis, and how influential this city was to the future of the USA and World.

Our bus ride from Graceland to our American Cruise Lines ship was a guided tour through the city of Memphis.  

• Tour guide Bob convinced me that Memphis is an amazing city.
• Sure, they haven't totally controlled crime, but they have done something wonderful about their homeless problem, and if you can recall some history, this was where Martin Luther King was assassinated, changing the nature of civil rights in the country.
• Heard of St. Jude?  Here is an intro from Wikipedia:

St. Jude Children's Research Hospital is a pediatric treatment and research hospital headquartered in Memphis, Tennessee. Founded by entertainer Danny Thomas in 1962, it is a 501(c)(3) designated nonprofit medical corporation which focuses on children's catastrophic diseases, particularly leukemiaand other cancers.^[1] In the 2021 fiscal year, St. Jude received $2 billion in donations.^[2] Daily operating costs average $1.7 million, but patients are not charged for care.^[3] St. Jude's covers some, but not all cancer-related costs.^[4] St. Jude treats patients up to age 21, and for some conditions, up to age 25.^[5]

• 
  This all began when Danny Thomas was struggling to succeed as a comedian, and emptied his wallet of his last $7 into an offering box, praying for intercession to St Jude Thaddeus for helping he and family, promising that if assisted, he would build him a shrine.
• What St. Jude, the hospital complex, has accomplished, is a series of miracles.
• They will be doubling their capability as a secular research and health institution, not affiliated with any religious organization.

Well, the above was unexpected, but I also learned that the following companies started in Memphis:  FedEx, AutoZone, International Paper, First Horizon Bank, Service Master and Holiday Inn.

And all that without even mentioning entertainment,  According to Google AI:

Memphis, renowned as the "Home of the Blues & Birthplace of Rock 'n' Roll," has produced iconic entertainment figures including Elvis Presley, Justin Timberlake, Cybill Shepherd, and Yo Gotti. The city is a major hub for blues, soul, and rap, heavily influencing global music culture and producing renowned artists and musicians.

• Over 20% of the earliest inductees into the Rock 'n Roll Hall of Fame are from withing a 100-mile radius of Memphis.
• 
  Rock pioneers like Elvis Presley, Jerry Lee Lewis, Carl Perkins and Johnny Cash recorded their early his at Sun Studio in Memphis.  Many of you saw that impromptu jam session involving these four as the Million Dollar Quartet, a seminal moment in rock history.  Occurred at Sun Studio on 4December 1956.  However, the first recording was not released until 1981.  The Broadway show came in 2010, plus there was a TV series.

• 
  Memphis is the birthplace of Morgan Freeman, Kathy Bates, Cybil Shepherd, Ginnifer Goodwin, Lucy Hale, Shannen Doherty, Chris Parnell and, of course, Danny Thomas.

So with that intro, our final two meals at Graceland.  Dinner of Southern Fried Chicken and a Wedge Salas with Blue Cheese dressing. and breakfast.

We left The Guest House at Graceland and began our tour by driving down Elvis Presley Boulevard.

First stop was at Sun Records.  This is a photo of what is across the street, followed by the tourist attraction.

Now, a series of videos featuring Bob, who was our tour guide.

Next the Lorraine Hotel, where Martin Luther King was assassinated, around which the National Civil Rights Museum was constructed.

The tour then moved on to the Peabody Hotel to watch the 11AM duck walk.  Began in 1940 and continues on, daily at 11AM, followed by a 5PM walk back to the roof, using an elevator.  Bus parked next to Lansky Bros., a clothing store located adjacent to the Peabody, where Elvis bought his original clothes.  The story is that Johnny Cash when he first went there could only afford three black items, which were cheaper, creating the legend that followed.

So the tour continued.

Finally, to the Memphis Pyramid, which has its own history

• Built in 1991 as a 20,142-seat arena, was the home court of the University Memphis men's basketball program, then later also for the NBA's Memphis Grizzlies.  However, the FedExForum was constructed in 2004, and both teams moved there, leaving the Pyramid with nothing but a few concerts and sports programs for almost 11 years.

• 
  A Bass Pro Shops megastore came in 2015
• Added were an immersive outdoor-themed experience of a cypress swamp, alligator/fish pools, observation deck, bowling alley, archery/shooting range, hotel and restaurants.
• Very large alligators, lake sturgeons, gars and catfish.

So Memphis is quite the city I did not expect.  The tour guide also indicated that Memphs is mentioned most in song lyrics.  So to confirm with Google AI:

Yes, 

Memphis, Tennessee, is widely recognized as one of the most-mentioned city names in music lyrics, cited in over 1,000 to over 1,172 songs across various genres, often ranking as the top city mentioned in music databases.

The song Memphis, Tennessee is one of my favorites.

• Sometimes only called Memphis, written by Chuck Berry, who released it in 1959.
• The Beatles recorded five versions, first in 1962.
• Lonnie Mack's guitar instrumental came out in 1963.
• Johnny Rivers had a big hit in 1964.
• Elvis recorded this song in 1965.

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